Keeping free roads free not as easy as it sounds

Motorist use the new northbound U.S. 281 to west and eastbound Loop 1604 interchange above traffic on Nov. 8. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

Keeping Texas highways from turning into tollways is going to take a little time.

Lawmakers who want to prohibit conversion of existing free lanes in toll lanes are working on a bill to do just that, but without hamstringing Texas Department of Transportation deals with local agencies to add toll lanes in the medians of major freeways.

“I believe free lanes should remain free,” said Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, said at a Senate Transportation Committee meeting on Wednesday, during a hearing on her bill, SB 1029.

Campbell said she is working on the bill and hoping to come up with language suitable to her and transportation officials. TxDOT and local tolling agencies worry if the bill isn’t crafted correctly, its language could affect projects like the planned addition to toll lanes to Highway 249 in Harris and Montgomery counties, and U.S. 281 in the San Antonio area.

Both projects rely on agreements between TxDOT and local officials to use right of way within the current freeway, to build toll lanes.